The enlightened healthy living.

Panic about surgical mask to protect you from Corona virus

Face masks are suddenly the hottest commodity in the world, especially if you are a cook and protecting your family.

All over China, Japan, and some other countries demanded to wear, and so as well, celebrities have posted surgical mask selfies on social media. Millions of travelers are wearing them in crowded airports.

Demand is so high, and prices are soaring so much that governments and some retailers are cracking down on disease profiteering. A 10-pack of 3M N95 masks, which are more effective than paper surgical masks, was selling for upwards of $100 online market so as well in Amazon, up from just $10 a month ago. Sellers set their prices, but Amazon says it will suspend accounts of partners who are trying to profiteer and don’t adhere to the retailers’ fair pricing’ rules.

Shortages and global hoarding are putting many hospitals in danger of running out, as their supplies dwindle, and manufacturers can’t meet demand.

Ironically, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic, is the world’s largest producer of surgical masks. It can churn out 20 million of them every day, but the demand in China alone is closer to 60 million a day.

The irony is that surgical masks will do little, if anything, to protect you from coronavirus. It is to prevent the spread of germs and viruses by the wearer to people nearby, which is why surgeons are meticulous about wearing surgical masks in the operating theater with patients.

N95 masks are better — It designed to filter air through respirators that block up to 95 percent of pathogens. But they must fit snugly, and the filters have to replaced frequently, so they are more suited for first responders than for everyday wear.

Health experts say masking large segments of the world’s populations is neither possible nor necessary. The best defense against infection stays away from parts of the world where the virus has hit epidemic levels and people who have traveled to areas.

Otherwise, basic hygiene protects against infection by all sorts of pathogens, including the flu and common colds.

My name is Lynn; I am a nutritionist, a devoted housewife, and a mother of two smart and amiable daughters.Welcome to my website, “My healthy Japanese diet.” Yes, My love is healthy Japanese diet, and the enlightened healthy living in Japan.